"The City's new liquor rules give local business a boost and enhance our vibrant food, nightlife, and arts and culture scene by allowing more flexibility in how and where business can sell alcohol," says Mayor Gregor Robertson

Last night, City Council approved a suite of changes to Vancouver's liquor licensing system to streamline regulations, boost local business, and enhance the city's social vibrancy.

New changes and regulations

The new changes include:

Allowing grocery stores to sell wine, beer, and liquor through a store-in-store model

Allowing arts and culture establishments like museums and galleries to sell alcohol

Boosting outdoor patio liquor seats

Extending brewery and distillery lounge hours until midnight

Supporting restaurants to operate as bars after 10:00pm, withdrawing the requirement that kitchens need to stay open while alcohol is being served

To support public health and safety, the new liquor regulations also include:

Requiring liquor establishments to publish drink sizes and strengths on their menus so patrons can have better information when making drink choices

Partnering with the BC LCLB and Vancouver Coastal Health on education and support programs as well as enhanced enforcement

Piloting a "last entry" program along Granville Street to help manage crowds outside of clubs and bars. One hour before closing, establishments will not allow re-entry of existing patrons or for new patrons to enter.

New liquor strategy

As part of the new liquor strategy, Council has directed staff to establish a working group of stakeholders in the Granville Entertainment District to improve consultation and co-ordination of efforts to reduce street disorder and gender-based violence, and to improve business in the area. The stakeholders include:

Local bars and restaurants

Barwatch

Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association

Vancouver Police Department

Vancouver Coastal Health

Community organizations, including women's organizations

The working group will report back to the City on the 'last entry' pilot program's effectiveness after six months.

Quotes

Mayor Gregor Robertson

"The City's new liquor rules give local business a boost and enhance our vibrant food, nightlife and arts and culture scene by allowing more flexibility in how and where business can sell alcohol," says Mayor Gregor Robertson. "It's important to strike a balance in a liquor strategy that grows and maintain a vibrant nightlife, while upholding public health and safety particularly in the downtown core."

Kaye Krishna, General Manager of Development, Buildings, and Licensing

"As we saw through the discussion at council last night, Liquor Policy is a complex topic that has to balance culture, community, and economy, while also protecting the health and safety of our residents. The passionate response shows how important these policy changes are in Vancouver and the many impacts they can have. We feel the updates approved by Council will let us to move forward in a fair and balanced way that will enhance community vitality, support local businesses, and mitigate the negative impacts of alcohol on residents," says Kaye Krishna, General Manager of Development, Buildings and Licensing.